For many of us, creativity is something we associate with hobbies on the one hand or careers in the arts on the other. Beyond these extremes, creativity often feels like an extra — something to explore when there’s time, perhaps in some imagined future of leisure. But what if we’ve misunderstood its importance? What if creativity isn’t just a luxury, but a necessity woven into the fabric of our everyday lives?

Creativity touches every part of life. It’s not just about painting or writing — it’s how we approach challenges, find unexpected solutions, and bring fresh perspectives to our work and relationships. Whether it’s rethinking a process, improvising with limited resources, imagining new possibilities, or finding creative ways to interact with a curious toddler, creativity is always at play.

But why does this matter so much right now?

The Creativity Deficit

In a world that feels increasingly chaotic, many of us are operating in survival mode. Our days are filled with obligations, distractions, and an ever-growing pressure to perform. What we lose in the process is space — the mental, emotional, and physical room that creativity needs to thrive.

Without creativity, we risk falling into patterns of repetition, where solutions are recycled and innovation stalls. On a personal level, life becomes greyer, less joyful. And for organisations, the stakes are even higher. Lack of creativity can mean stagnation, missed opportunities, and ultimately, failure to compete.

please find a reference source for this A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that engaging in small creative activities — like doodling, journaling, or crafting — significantly boosts well-being.1, 2 Another report from the World Economic Forum highlights creativity as one of the top skills for the future workforce, essential for adapting to rapid change.3

Creativity as a Lifeline for Mental Health

Creativity doesn’t just make life more enjoyable; it’s a proven tool for mental health. Engaging in creative activities has been shown to reduce anxiety, improve mood, and even alleviate symptoms of depression.

A review published in the American Journal of Public Health explores the relationship between engagement with creative arts — such as music, visual arts, movement-based expression, and expressive writing — and health outcomes.4 The authors note that art-based interventions can reduce adverse physiological and psychological outcomes.

It’s not about being “good” at something; it’s about the act of creating. A poorly drawn sketch or an off-key song — whether you’re singing along or with others — can still provide the mental health benefits of focus, mindfulness, and emotional release.

Practical Ways to Experiment with Creativity

What would happen if you prioritised creativity in your own life? Not just as a luxury, but as a daily practice? Here are some simple ways to start experimenting:

10-Minute Challenges: Set a timer and write, draw, or build something with whatever’s at hand. The goal isn’t to create something “good” but simply to do.
Play with Materials: Try something tactile, like clay, yarn, or even paper folding. Engaging the senses often sparks unexpected ideas. If a particular material feels good to you then it might merit some further exploration. I started weaving in part because I loved the smell and texture of unwashed wool (weird but true).
Repurpose Everyday Objects: Find new uses for ordinary things — a jar becomes a vase, a magazine turns into a collage. It’s about seeing possibilities in what’s already around you and letting the process surprise you.
Mindful Photography: Use your phone to capture unnoticed details — a shadow of a building, the texture of bark, or the play of light on a puddle. Instead of snapping for social sharing, try using your camera for the quiet pleasure of paying attention to the world around you. This shift in purpose invites you to see differently and notice what’s often overlooked.
Story Starters: Record an emotion, a sight, or a sound that catches your attention at different times of the day. It could be the warmth of sunlight through a window, the smell from a restaurant, the hum of traffic, or the texture of fabric in your hands. Simply jot down a few words that describe what you notice or how it makes you feel: maybe do it every hour. This small act of descriptive writing can open the door to deeper creative thinking: and it can help you feel comfortable with using the written word as expression.

Creativity as a Survival Skill

When we make space for creativity, we open up possibilities. Creativity teaches us to approach challenges with curiosity, to experiment without fear of failure, and to see connections that weren’t obvious before. It also encourages a shift in perspective — a creative mindset that sees everything we encounter, including constraints or fixed ideas, as malleable and open to reimagining. This mindset is the spark that ignites innovation, resilience, and growth — both personally and professionally.

Creativity is more than just a tool; it’s a way of seeing the world. It has the power to transform how we live — helping us to approach each day with curiosity and openness, and to reshape even the most ordinary experiences into something meaningful. When we embrace it, we remind ourselves that the familiar can become extraordinary, that challenges can be reframed as opportunities, and that small acts of imagination can ripple into profound change. Whether it’s for personal joy or professional growth, creativity offers a path to deeper connection, resilience, and meaning.

So, where will you start?

References

Morse, K. F., et al (Frontiers in Psychology, July 2021): Creativity and Leisure During COVID-19: Examining the Relationship Between Leisure Activities, Motivations, and Psychological Well-Being. Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.609967/full?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Nunez, K. (Real Simple, September 2024): Good News: Creating Art Can Improve Your Mental Health, According to New Study. Available at: https://www.realsimple.com/creating-art-improves-mental-health-study-says-8719678?utm_source=chatgpt.com
World Economic Forum (2023): Future of jobs 2023: These are the most in-demand skills now — and beyond. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2023/05/future-of-jobs-2023-skills/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Stuckey, H, et al. (American Journal of Public Health, February 2010): The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health: A Review of Current Literature. Available at: https://www.americansforthearts.org/node/100594?utm_source=chatgpt.com